Terrence J. Sheahan is a Partner in the Litigation Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP and serves as the Chicago Litigation Section Co-Head. Mr. Sheahan was previously a Partner with Freeborn & Peters, which combined with SGR in 2023.
Mr. Sheahan represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of commercial matters and business disputes including: breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, tortious interference, fraud, trade-secret and non-compete disputes, real estate disputes, defamation, partnership wind-ups, insurance coverage, trust and estate and family business disputes, administrative review proceedings, and other multi-million dollar matters in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. He also has experience in class action litigation and constitutional law.
Before joining the Firm, Mr. Sheahan served as a Prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Narcotics Special Prosecutions Bureau. Throughout his career as a trial lawyer, T.J. has tried to verdict more than 150 civil and criminal bench trials, 18 civil and criminal jury trials, and several others resolved during trial, and handled numerous appeals before the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Appellate Court, and several federal and appellate courts. In addition to his courtroom experience, he routinely represents business clients in arbitrations and mediations.
For the past 15 years, Mr. Sheahan has served as an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University Law School teaching “Introduction to Trial Advocacy.”. He is also a periodic guest lecturer for trial advocacy courses at several Chicago law schools and serves as a team coach and judge for several Moot Court competitions.
While at Freeborn (now SGR), Mr. Sheahan served as Co-Leader of the Litigation Department. He is a Member of the Board of Directors for Arc of Hope (Uganda), and formerly has served as a Member and President of the St. Joan of Arc School Board.
Chicago Bar Association, Member
Commercial Litigation Committee, Co-Vice-Chairman, 2019-20
Judicial Evaluation Committee, Investigator (several campaign cycles)
Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association, Member
Presenter “Commercial Litigation 101,” Chicago CLE event (June 20, 2024)
Co-Author, Remedies for Non-Compliance, CIVIL DISCOVERY PRACTICE, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) 2024, Edition, 2020 Edition, 2017 Edition.
Author, “Prejudgment Interest Under The Illinois Interest Act: A Category of Damages Not To Be Overlooked In Commercial Disputes,” Civil Litigation FlashPoints, May 2016.
Author, “The Illinois Appellate Court Finds the Absolute Litigation Privilege Applies to Claims of Invasion of Privacy, Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress and Breach of Contract,” Civil Litigation FlashPoints, March 2014.
Author, “The Illinois Business Corporation Act: The Survival Provisions of 805 ILCS 5/12.80 Do Not Apply to Claims That Accrue After a Corporation Dissolves,” Civil Litigation Flashpoints, published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, May 2013.
Author, “Compelling An Officer, Director, or Employee of a Party To Appear at Trial: Exploring the Limits of a Notice To Produce Under Supreme Court Rule 237(b),” Civil Litigation Flashpoints, published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, March 2010.
Author, “The Illinois Appellate Court Clarifies the Pleading Requirements Under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and Reaffirms an Absolute Privilege Under Illinois Defamation Law,” Civil Litigation Flashpoints, published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, July 2009.
